Have you ever heard of unlimited vacation? It's one of the more unique job perks and employee benefits available right now.
Narcity got a behind-the-scenes look into how it works at this company in Canada!
There are quite a few companies with unlimited vacation in Canada including Lightspeed, Alida, HubSpot, Uberflip and more.
But you might not know much about this job perk if your employer doesn't offer it to you.
So, Narcity spoke with JD St-Martin, president of Lightspeed, to get all the details about the company's unlimited paid time off policy for employees including how it works and what it's like.
Lightspeed, which is headquartered in Montreal and also operates in Toronto, Ottawa and Calgary, is a commerce platform that offers employees unlimited vacation.
"We believe that providing unlimited paid time off is not just a perk but a fundamental aspect of our commitment to supporting the holistic development and success of our team members," St-Martin said.
The company also thinks time off work is "essential" for the wellbeing and productivity of employees.
"Providing ample time off allows our team members to recharge, pursue personal interests, and maintain a healthy work-life balance," St-Martin said.
"By offering unlimited paid time off, we empower our employees to take ownership of their work-life integration."
That leads to trust, transparency, and accountability within the company, according to St-Martin.
Some companies with unlimited vacation in Canada let employees take a certain number of weeks off at a time but they can do that as many times as they want to in a year as long as there's enough notice.
So, Narcity wanted to find out the details of how unlimited PTO at Lightspeed works.
"Our unlimited time off policy at Lightspeed operates with a focus on responsible planning and collaboration," St-Martin said.
The company's president revealed that there are "no specific limitations on the amount of time off employees can take" and requests for time off need to be approved in advance by managers.
"Scheduling time off is a critical part of our planning process, ensuring that business operations continue smoothly," St-Martin noted.
By requiring employees to "provide sufficient notice" when using their unlimited PTO, it ensures employee needs and business requirements are "balanced."
Also, Lightspeed's president revealed that "managers play a crucial role in" the process of employees booking vacation days.
Managers monitor the needs of the business while also ensuring employees take all of the necessary time off that they need.
Now, you might be wondering if there are any pros and cons to offering an unlimited vacation job perk to employees.
"The flexible paid time off policy at Lightspeed has proven to be overwhelmingly positive," St-Martin revealed.
"By eliminating a cap on time off, we promote a high level of productivity, greater employee engagement, and a culture of empowerment between employer and employee."
The company's focus is on achieving results and outcomes instead of "strictly monitoring hours worked."
"This ensures that our team members prioritize their well-being and avoid burnout."
According to St-Martin, the flexible paid time off policy has also "significantly contributed to a positive workplace culture" at the company.
"Employees feel empowered to manage their time effectively, leading to increased job satisfaction and morale."
Having the priority be individualized work-life balances, executives have seen higher levels of productivity and creativity.
"This policy fosters a sense of trust and respect between employees and management, ultimately enhancing collaboration and innovation within our organization," St-Martin said.
It's not just Lightspeed that is experiencing benefits with unlimited time off perks for employees.
Back in 2023, Narcity also spoke with executives of companies that offer unlimited vacation in Canada — Alida and Know Company — and both revealed there hadn't been drawbacks or negative issues with unlimited vacation!
This article's cover image was used for illustrative purposes only.
